Process of removing paint, varnish, and finishes.



'J. M. WILSON PROCESS OF REMOVING PAINT, VARNISH, AND FINISHES.

APPLICATION FILED APRA, 1908. v

- Patented Oct. 12,1909.

State of New new and useful Improvements 111- Processes NITED STATES PATENT onnion.

JOHN m. WILSON, or onrotnm, NEW JERSEY.

rnocnss or REMOVING PAINT, vnnnisir, AND FINISHES.

' Specification of Letterslatent.

Patented Oct. 12,1909,

Application filed April 4, 1908. Seria1 No. 425,267.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Join: M, citizen of the United of Montclair,

W1LsoN, a States, and resident -1n thecounty of Essex and Jersey, have invented certaln of Removing Paint, Varnish, and Finishes,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in processes of removing dried films of paint,

I varnish and similar finishes that are substantially insoluble in water, by means of so-called volatile paint and varnish removers which are capable of dissolving the oily or waxy ingredients of said films and there,

by destroying their aflinity for the under-.

lying surfaces. The removal of the slushlike mass so formed, has heretofore been attempted with a cloth, knife, or rubber squeegee, none of. which, however, accomplished the complete removal of the same from'the irregularities and pores in the surfaces treated to which said film had. been applied, without the repeatedapplication of solvent washes, with the result that not only was the grain of the wood noticeably swollen 'or raised, but also the removal of the paint and varnish film, or similar finish was rendered extremely expensive, as well as laborious.

My experiments have led that the said from the reaction of. so-called neutral paint and varnish removers on dried films of paint, varnish, or other finishes of a similar nature, can be completely removed without necessitating any after-wash prior to the to the discovery application of a fresh coat of paint, varnish,

or other similar finish, to the surface treated, provided means are employed which are capable of automatically conforming to all irregularities in the underlying surface supporting the said film or aint, varnish, or similar finish, and capab e of penetrating all pores of suflieient. size to occlude particles of wax, and the like, while wit-hal converting said slush-like mass into self-sustaining -shreds which are sulficiently'porous to permit of the escape of the volatile solvents contained therein, andthereby effect the solidi fication, to a eater or less degree, as may be required, of the slush-like, or pasty, mass aforesaid. In addition to these features it' is essential that a. suitable implement be employed which will resist the clogging effect which invariably occurs when the ordities of the said bristles,

slush-like masses resulting evitable. Similarly the use of a cloth orscraper is objectionable and ineffective, because of the fact that the mass is not sufficiently disintegrated to permit of the free escape of the vapors owing. to the non-production of self-sustaining shreds,

in lieu of the waxand the like, being completely removed from and lifted out of the I interstices, grooves or crevices in the surface treated, it is actually forced and packed thereinto by these means, when they are employed for this purpose. In all these cases not only is it customary to employ a solvent but also,

after-wash free from wax-precipitant, in

order to dissolve the wax packed in the interstices or crevices aforesaid, but also even the removal in this manner is rendered difficult and is often unsatisfactory, and accordingly the surface is with difficulty rendered into a receptive condition for the application of a new or fresh coat of paint or other finish.

This invention is fully set. forth in the following detailed specification and draw ings, which form a part thereof, and in which; the figure shown in a longitudinal elevation of a surface coated with a soft mass of paint and varnish, illustrating the application of a combined, non-scratching, wire brush and squeegee for effecting the removal thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a brush-block, to which is secured a brush-back 2. 'The opposite end of said block comprises an elongated extension 3 having a marginal,-longitudinal groove 5, adapted to receive a. rubber scraper, or squeegee-member, 6. The said extenslon 3 projects upwardly at an obtuse angle to a erpendicular, extending through the brushack, and a handle 4, secured in a socket in the block 1, projects in a direction that 1s 7 varnish or other water insoluble finish, disterstices, grooves 'or crevices capable of ccreadily separate from the said bristles, owing 1 moving substantially all of the wax-oontaincoincident with an extension of the bisector of said obtuse an le, whereby, upon the re.- versal of the imp ement, the squeegee mem- 5 her 6 can be employed in identically the same E relative position as that illustrated with re- Z spect .to the brush herein shown, it being understood that the brush-back may be oblong or square in configuration. Annealed steel wire bristle-tufts, 7 and 9, which are normally out of contact with each other, are spaced, in practice, sufficiently far apart to permit of .the free escape of vapors, arising from the slush-like or pasty masses resulting from the action of a paint and varnish remover, as indicated by the numeral 11, which may be either manually applied, or pneumatically sprayed upon the surfaceto be treated, from a nozzle 10, as shown.v It is evident that the a plication of said spray may occur both be ore and after the application of the wire bristles or filaments, if desired, although in many cases the application subsequent to the removal of the pasty, orslush-like, mass from the surface treated, as indicated in the illustration shown, is entirely unnecessary and superfluous. In fact the use of such spray is indicated, as hereinafter described, as an auxiliary wash in conjunction with the particular type of remover which is free from alcohol, and as specifically stated, it is ordinarily entirely dispensed with,

As illustrated, the application of the annealed steel wire'bristles to the amorphous mass resultingfrom the reaction of the paint and varnish remover upon the film of paint,

integrates the same into shreds, and thus permits of the ready escape of the occluded vapors, of alcohol, benzol and the like, from the mass. 'Also the said bristles, being secured to a common support at one end, and being flee and independent at the other end, readlly conform to the contour of the surface, such as X, which underlies the saidl film, the said bristles penetrating all the ini eluding wax and thereby completely dislodging the same therefrom. It is obvious that 3 sufficient pressure is applied through the handle 4, to cause thebristles of the brush,

-which bristles are, as stated, of annealed;

steel wire and of a smooth exterior, to penetrate through the amorphous mass aforesaid i and into frictional engagement with the underlying surface.

The evaporation of the volatile solvents, as aforesai results in the said shreds, which 5 are produced by the action of the wire bristles, being substantially self-sustaining and 1 thereby, in lieu of the bristles; in each sep- 5 arate tuft, such as ,7 or 9, becoming enveli oped in or filled up with a slimy, viscous i magma, it is apparent that these shreds will i amorphous mass or ma to their slight viscosity and the relative absence of the solvent therein which would otherwise increase the-viscosity. For this reason not only do said shreds tend to advance along the surface in front of the respective bristle-tufts, without completely enveloping the same, but also, owlng to the slight viscosity of said shreds, the cohesion of the adjacent bristles of different tufts is unlikely to occur, as not only are the tufts spaced sufiiciently far apart, so that the bristles of two adjoining tufts are out of contact with each other when said bristles assume their normal position, the said'bristles being in practice spaced longitudinally one-half the transverse spacing, but also," .owing to the smoothness of the bristles, there is little or no tendency for the aforesaid shreds to adhere thereto, and in the event of the occlusion of said shreds between the bris- .tles of adjoining tufts, it is merely necessary to give the said'brush a slight shake in order -to completely dislodge the same therefrom.

In carrying out my invention I preferably use paint and varnish removers containing small amounts of wax, or wax-like compounds, therein, such, for example, as described in the patent'of the United States to John M. Wilson, anted November 26th 1907, and numbere evident that various other mixtures may be employed. -Such a mixture, for example, may comprise a benzol-phenol remover, consisting of one-half pound of parafiin wax dissolved by heating in approximately from three-quarters to one pound of phenol crystals, with the addition of one gallon of benzol .(benzene) the mixture being preferably maintained below 'a temperature of C; during the mixing thereof. When this latter mixture is employed for the treatment of a dried, i. e. weathered, film of paint, varnish, or other water-insoluble finish, which said remover is capable of reacting upon, the amorphous magma produced by the reaction is subjected, in the manner previously described, to the action of the said annealed wire brushes, and subsequent to the removal of the aforesaid gma by means of said brushes, a precipitating agent, or wash, is applied to the surface so treated, either manually or bymeans of pneumatic pressure from .a nozzle 10 having a suitable needle-valve to eject a spray 11 therefrom.

872,314, although it is Such a wash preferably consists of one part each of acetone and grain alcohol and two parts carbon tetrachlorid, the same precipitating any wax contained in the solution aforesaid of benzol-phenol remover. It is evident, that in view of the fact said remover is substantially free from a precipitating agent, and therefore comprises a clear soluwax, the brushes, while retion containing ing liquid, will in some instances fail to completely remove the same. In suchcases the precipitation of the Wax from the resulting solution, not only renders the same easily removable by said brushes, but results in the complete elimination of Wax from the said mixture, and thereby avoids the possibility ciently soft to avoid any possibility of the said wires scratching or scoring even the finestofwood upon which the dried film, of paint or varnlsh' treated, exists. Moreover, in spite of these two properties, the

i lus of elasticity said bristles are sufficiently rigid to he capable of overcoming the affinity of the dissolved, viscous, pasty, varnish, paint-or'the like, for the underlyingsurface, and are thereby effective for removing every particle of the aforesaid viscous paste therefrom.

Such bristles as above mentioned preferably showthe following values when subjected to the usual physical tests: diameter .009"; ultimate strength 12.51 lbs.; ultimate strength per square inch 202,700 lbs.; elastic limit 191,100 lbs. per square inch; moduscale) No.4.

Subsequent to the removal, by means of the wire bristles, of the paint, varnish or similar finish, the squeegee-member 6 may be employed to dry the surface and render the same in a receptive condition for a new or fresh coat of paint, varnish or other finish. This, however, is not essential in those instances where a brief period or interval in which the evaporation of any remaining liquid may occur, intervenes,

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The herein described process, which consists in subjectinga dried film of paint or varnish to the action of a' paint and varnish remover, capable of reacting thereon and destroying the identity of said film and its afii-nity for an underlying surface, and then effecting the subdivision of the resulting amorphous mass into .fine shreds, While simultaneously separating the same from the said underlying surface, and while permit,

ting of the free escape of the volatile'solvents contained in said mass, whereby selfsustaining particles are obtained'adapted to be readily dislodged from smooth surfaces which may be brought into contact therewith.

2. The herein described j'process, which consists in subjecting a dried film of paint or 29,825,000; hardness (Mohs varnish to the action of a paint and varnish remover capable of reactlng upon said film and destroying the identity of the same and its affinity for an underlying surface, and then effecting the mechanical removal of the resulting mass from the said underlying surface; by causing a plurality of non-absorbent, resilient, metallic bristles, under suflicient pressure to penetrate said mass, to frictionally engage said underlying surface and to displace the said mass from its-original position thereon, said bristles being in sufficiently close proximity to each other to effeetthe removal of said mass completely from the underlying surface Within an area defined by the respective outermost bristles which are caused to engage with said surface, said bristles being sufficiently rigid to effect the disintegration of said mass into shreds, thereby permitting of the free escape of the volatile solvents therefrom, and said interstices, of the surface treated, which are of sufiicient size to include appreciable quantities of Wax therein and thereby effect the dislodgme'nt of said wax.

3. The herein described process, which consists in subjecting a dried filmpf painter varnish to the action of a paint andyarmsh remover containing wax in SOllltlOIL and substantially free from a wax-precipitant, said paint and varnish remover being destroying the identity of said film and its afiinity for an underlying surface, and then: effecting the mechanical removal of a portion of the resulting mass from the underlying surface, by causing a plurality of nonabsorbent, resilient, metallic bristles, under suflicient pressure to penetratev the sa d mass, to frictionally engage said underlying surface and to displace the said mass from 1ts original position thereon, said brlstles being in snfiiciently close roximity to each other to effect the remova of said mass from the underlying surface within an area defined by the respective outermost bristles which are caused to engage with said surface, said disintegration of said mass into shreds, thereby permitting of the free escape of the volatile solvents therefrom, and said bristles being capable of penetrating into, the interstices of the surfaces treated, which are of sufiicient size to include appreciable quantities ofwax therein, and thereby effect the dislodgment of said wax.

consists in subjecting a dried, Water-insoluble, film of finish to the action of a paint and varnish remover containing wax in solution and substantially free from a waxprecipitant, said aint and varnish r emover being capab e of reacting upon sald dried film and destroying the identity of the bristles being capable of penetrating into the capable of reacting upon said dried film and bristles being sufliciently rigid to effect the t. The herein described process, which.

said film and its afiinity for an underlying surface, and then' effecting the mechanical removal of a portion ofthe resulting mass from the underlying surface, b causing a plurality .of non-absorbent, resi ient, metallic bristles, under suflicient pressure to penetrate the said mass, to frictionally engage said underlying surface and to positively move said mass along said surface, said bristles being in sufiiciently close proximity to effect the partial removal of said mass from the underlying surface within an area defined by the respective outermost bristles which age applied to said surface, said bristles being sufiicientlv rigid to effect the disintegration of'said mass into shreds, thereby permittingof the free escape of the volatile solvents therefrom, and said bristles being capable of penetrating into the interstices of the surface treated, which are of sufficient size to include appreciable quantities of the wax therein, and thereby effect the dislodgment of said wax, and then again subjecting the remaining material on said surface to the action of a paint and varnish remover, containing a wax-precipitant, and then effecting the mechanical removal of the resulting mass from the underlying surface, by causing a plurality of non-absorbent, resilisure to penetrate the said mass,to frictionally engage the said underlying surface and 1 to positively move said mass along the same,

- said bristles being in sufiicie'ntly close proximity to effect the complete removal of said mass from the underlying surface within the area defined by the respective outermost bristles, which are ap lied to said surface, said bristles being su ciently rigid to effect the disintegration of said mass into shreds, thereby permitting of the free escape of the volatile solvents therefrom, and said bristles being capable of penetrating into the inter-- stices of the surface treated, which are of suflicient size to include appreciable quantities of wax therein.

5. The herein described process, which consists in subjecting a dried film of paint or varnish to the action of a paint and varnish remover containing wax in solution in benzol, and substantially free from a wax precipitant, said paint and varnish remover being capable of reacting upon said dried film and destroying the identity of the same and its afiinityfor an underlying surface, efiecting the partial removal of the re.- sulting mass, and then mixing with the residue of the resulting mass still remaining on said surface a paint and varnish remover containing a -Wax-precipitant, whereby the precipitation of the contained wax is effected and the removal of the resulting mass from the underlying surface is facilitated, and then removing the resulting mass from the underlying surface. ent,1metall1cbristles, under suflicient pres- Signed at Newark in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey this 31st day of March A. D. 1908.

' JOHN M. WILSON. Witnesses:

CLARENCE H. Brssnnn, C. T. GARLL. 

